Vera Farmiga on Her Sundance Risk-Taking Award and Putting Higher Ground Behind Her

In addition to premiering incredible new movies, the Sundance Film Festival has become an opportunity to honor those who make a difference in the film community. Monday night’s Creative Coalition dinner, celebrating “The Women Who Make Women Look Good on Film,” at the Park City Supper Club, did just that. Oscar-nominated actress Vera Farmiga—who was also in town for the premiere of Christopher Neil’s comedyGoats, in which she stars—served as both host and honoree.

“I guess I’m being honored with the spotlight achievement award for risk taking,” Vera Farmiga told us at the dinner. “And boldness! I mean, so they say.”

We asked her if she’d always considered herself a risk-taker. “If you measure risk through the fear factor and the anxiety, I mean, I think that is what a challenge is,” she said. “I feel that way every time I take on a job, to some degree. Look, in this career, I’m also the provider for my family. I can’t always just take the roles that [excite] me. You have to take some for the bank account, too. Even in those scenarios, I always find something that motivates me, and I find a way to make it exhilarating, but I think there is always a certain measure of fear. That’s how you know you’re challenging yourself.”

This year’s Sundance has proven to be far less challenging for Farmiga than the 2011 festival, however, when she premiered her directorial debut, Higher Ground, a feature about a woman’s lifelong spiritual struggles.

“This year is so much less stressful!” Farmiga told us. “I’m coasting. Last year was rigorous. Religion and faith are hot topics, and I was in the hot seat. I’m so proud of [Higher Ground], though. It’s one of those experiences that is uncomfortable but forces you to grow.”

In Goats, Farmiga co-stars as a flaky, New Age mother who watches as her teenage son (Graham Phillips) prepares to leave her behind in the foothills of Tucson. Asked whether the actress plans on taking advantage of the mountains around Park City this year, Farmiga was hesitant.

“I ski like I play pool,” she said. “Sometimes I’m Suzy Chapstick, and other times I’m Bambi, just learning how to walk. I should probably stay off the slopes.”